Our Story
- 75 Children
- 129 Years
St Martins Diocesan Home for Children has been a place of safety, care and hope since 1897 — serving children through love, structure, and a commitment to helping each one reach their full potential.
- Providing residential care for children aged 3–18
- A safe, structured home environment focused on stability and healing
- Therapeutic and emotional support through trained care workers and professionals
- Educational support, life skills development and personal growth
- Working towards family reunification wherever safe and possible
There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” — Nelson Mandela
Our History
Founded in 1897, St Martins began as St John’s Orphanage and Training School, originally established by the Sisters of the Society of St John the Divine. Over the decades, the home grew to meet the needs of vulnerable children in Durban. In 1910 it became St Martins Home, and by 1918 it was caring for over 80 boys.
In 1960, stewardship transitioned to the Anglican Diocese of Natal, and later the Home was renamed St Martins Diocesan Home for Children to reflect its care for both boys and girls. Today, we are registered to provide residential care for up to 75 children aged 3–18 who have been court-ordered into our protection due to neglect, abuse, abandonment or severe hardship.
For 129 years, St Martins has remained a place where children find safety, support, guidance and the opportunity for a better life.
Our Vision
Through its human and material resources St Martins Diocesan Home for Children strives to create within children beauty and strength. Through love and care, inner healing is to take place enabling children to reach their full potential. In constructively meeting their physical and emotional, intellectual, cultural, social and spiritual needs children are to grow and blossom at each developmental stage in their lives. St Martins Diocesan Home for Children also strives to build a better society that would cause children less suffering and contribute to their well-being.
Our Mission
To provide residential care for children committed to the Home by a court of law. Such children may be orphaned, abandoned, abused and in need of care. Each child has an individual development plan which assists him/her grow towards independence and maturity. Their committal to St Martins Diocesan Children’s Home is seen as a temporary measure to equip each child for reunification with family or a community.
Dignity
Every child deserves respect, safety and a sense of belonging.
Healing
We prioritise emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing through therapeutic support.
Structure & Stability
Children thrive in predictable, nurturing environments shaped by consistent care.
Education & Growth
We invest in academic support, life skills and personal development to empower futures.
Community & Reunification
Wherever possible, we work to rebuild and restore these connections.
Hope
We believe every child can rise above their circumstances with the right support.
Our Vision
At the heart of St Martins is a dedicated team of child and youth care workers, a qualified therapeutic team, a social worker, administrative staff, hospitality staff and a committed Director. Together they create a warm, structured and supportive environment where children feel seen, heard and valued.
The team works closely with schools, healthcare providers, volunteers and community partners to ensure every child receives holistic support.
Our Management Team
Ishara Poodhun
Director
Ishara has 36 years of experience in social work in South Africa and the United Kingdom. She provides strategic, administrative and operational leadership at St Martins, with a strong focus on sustainability, governance and the wellbeing of the children.
Robin Shrikumar
Finance Manager
Robin joined St Martins in 2017 and brings extensive financial experience from the university sector. He manages finance, human resources, vehicle management and building maintenance, helping ensure the smooth and sustainable operation of the Home.
Marie-Therese Naidoo
Therpeutic Manager
Marie-Therese has over 20 years of experience in social work and child and youth care. She leads the therapeutic programme at St Martins, supporting the emotional, social, educational and spiritual development of each child through a multidisciplinary team approach.
Mandy Muller
Hospitality Manager
Mandy has been part of St Martins for five years and oversees donations, food provision, the wishlist, stores, laundry and cleaning. She works closely with donors and the public and takes pride in supporting the Home in every way that benefits the children.
Sinempilo Zulu
Social Worker
Sinempilo has over 10 years of experience working with children and has been with St Martins for the past year. She provides counselling, case management and advocacy, supporting children from admission through to reunification or transition.
Children per year...
Years Serving Children
Team Members
Governance & Registration
St Martins Diocesan Home for Children is governed by a Board of Management under the Anglican Diocese of Natal and operates with full compliance to all legal and ethical requirements for child and youth care.
We are registered as:
Non-Profit Organisation: NPO 002-111
Public Benefit Organisation: PBO 930015962
Section 18A Approved for tax-deductible donations
Registered with the Department of Social Development to care for 75 children.
Our financial statements are independently audited each year, and the Board meets regularly to oversee all management and operational responsibilities.